The Man's Guide to Marriage: A Timeline

From the diamond ring to the sunset years, every milestone presents a new gauntlet. And while experience is the best teacher, Jeff Wilser — editor-in-chief of groom advice site The Plunge — has a roadmap for matrimonial bliss.

1 of 10

The Proposal

You've met the right girl, second- and triple-guessed whether she's the right girl, and decided to butcher your savings. The average engagement ring is just over $4,000; be prepared to go higher, but remember that carat isn't the most important of the four Cs. Take her someplace intimate (read: not a sports stadium), look her in the eyes, and — while she gasps — realize you forgot to ask her father beforehand.

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2 of 10

The Bachelor Party

You must placate two opposing constituencies: 1) your buddies, who want tequila and lap dances; 2) your bride, who trusts you but doesn't trust your buddies. Her concern is valid, but assure her that — even if they walk you up to the line — you won't cross it. So, where is the line? It defies description, but you'll know it when you get there. (And so will your buddies, if they're actually trustworthy.)

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3 of 10

The Wedding

Snooze through the small decisions (ice sculptures, florists) and roll your eyes at her "wedding porn" (those dozens of bridal magazines on her side of the bed), but get involved for the guest list, location, and date. She won't think it's sexy if you're totally uninvolved. Buy the tux, don't rent; you'll need it again. The big day itself is a blur — you kiss, you dance, you shake hundreds of hands, you take her to bed and… you fall asleep from exhaustion.

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4 of 10

The Honeymoon

You've spent the last year drowning in stress — now you can drown in champagne. And other pleasures. Just make sure that her new last name matches her passport, if that's how she's introducing herself to customs officials.

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5 of 10

The First Kid

Every plant you've owned has died from lack of water. How can you handle a kid? But she wants a baby, so you battle the fear. (And there are scarier things than sex every night.) Finally, she's late — and suddenly you're using those new power tool skills on a crib. Nine months later, you race to the hospital. You make it. You cry. Dad. And when you get home, you remember to water the plant.

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6 of 10

The Second Kid, the First Minivan

Lacrosse practice. School plays. Homework — you can't remember calculus. And it's been years since you've heard the words "Last Call." A third, accidental kid. You now see eye-to-eye with Clark Griswold.

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7 of 10

The Seven-Year Itch

You realize two things: your bank account is bigger than ever, and there are women everywhere. It wouldn't be hard — you're always on business trips, and you can be discreet — but you don't scratch it. Because there's more at stake than your integrity: the kids. So instead you buy an Aston Martin, no matter how silly it looks with your graying, thinning locks. Your wife smiles at the sight; she looks beautiful.

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8 of 10

The Grandkids

Mission accomplished. The kids leave for college, graduate, wed their sweethearts. You give them hard-earned wisdom about marriage — mistakes you've made, ways to take back those mistakes — which they promptly ignore. Just like you ignored your parents. They have kids but you're not a "grandpa," because grandpas are weak and old and enjoy prune juice.

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9 of 10

The Long Good-bye

Prune juice is kinda delicious, huh? The grandkids get married, but this time you hold back on the advice — they'll learn on their own. You already beat the Seven-Year-Itch, so the Seventy-Year-Itch is no big deal. Semi-assisted living becomes fully assisted living, which becomes hospice. You look at your wife. Know you'd do it all over. Close your eyes. Hold her hand. This is happiness ever after.

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10 of 10

The First House

Maybe not because it seems like the safest investment right now, but because you need to live somewhere — and shouldn't squander money on rent forever. She decorates, you shrug. But you learn to use power tools, and start caring about things like "mulch." You and the wife occasionally bicker, but this, like mulch, is natural and necessary for growth.